William Saliba heaped praise on Kylian Mbappe after France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, applauding the forward on his record-breaking World Cup brace to help inspire Les Bleus to victory.
France – the 2022 runners-up – started sluggishly at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium and had looked to be heading for a disappointing point from their Group I opener.
But the quality of Didier Deschamps’ men eventually shone through as Mbappe cooly slotted home an exquisite through ball from Michael Olise to break the deadlock in the 66th minute.
The well-worked strike saw Mbappe move joint-top of France’s all-time highest goalscorers list alongside Oliver Giroud, with both attackers locked on 57 goals.
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The Real Madrid star wasn’t done there, though, and the attacker’s second of the night in the 96th minute – after Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye had also found the net – cemented his place in France’s history books.
France moved top of the group with the result and Deschamps’ side will look to build on the performance when they return to action against Iraq next Monday night.
Mbappe will no doubt be licking his lips ahead of the clash, with the opportunity to move past Gerd Muller’s tally of 14 goals in the overall World Cup standings within his grasp in Philadelphia.
‘It’s crazy what he’s doing,’ France and Arsenal defender Saliba told beIN SPORTS when asked about the achievement of his childhood friend Mbappe.
‘I don’t think he realises that he’s the top scorer in the history of France and potentially the World Cup [down the line], I hope.
‘We’re all happy for him. I hope he’ll keep scoring for the rest of the competition.’
On France’s display more generally, Saliba went on: ‘It’s good, it’s pleasing. We played a top team. Today, we take the three points. It’s better to start the tournament like this.
‘The first half wasn’t good, they had more chances than us.
‘In the second half, we came with new ideas. We had more chances and we made up for it well.’
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Speaking to French TV channel M6, Mbappe promised supporters that there was far more to come from the side after a ‘difficult’ clash with the AFCON runners-up.
‘I don’t think we’re fully underway yet, but it’s always good to start competitions. It gives you peace of mind, even though you’re never truly at ease during a World Cup’ he explained.
We’ve seen with the other teams, it’s difficult to start with a win.
‘Every team knows that the World Cup is unique, everyone wants to win and give a good image of their country. Today, it was a difficult match.
‘We know we can score at any moment, that helps.’
On the criticism he had faced in the build-up to this summer’s tournament, Mbappe said: ‘There’s no point in seeking revenge.
‘If I started playing to silence all the people who criticise me, I’d have to play until I was 80 years old.
‘I play to make history for my country and to help my team win the World Cup.
‘It’s only the first group match. People may get carried away and criticise, but the team must always remain calm in what we have to do.’
In his post-match interview with M6, France head coach Deschamps admitted he felt a sense of ‘relief’ after his side got up and running with maximum points.
‘It’s a relief. We were a bit apprehensive and tense. They were a good team, too,’ Deschamps – who has lifted the World Cup both as a player and a manager – said.
‘When we were able to play a bit more freely, by changing the positioning of Ousmane [Dembele] and Michael [Olise], Bradley Barcola was a real threat.
‘Winning the first match isn’t decisive in a four-team group.
‘The French fans travel from far away, it’s expensive. Football is magical when you win and can share the emotions.
‘Barcola? There are many players who can legitimately claim a starting spot. Rayan [Cherki] too. We’ll need everyone.’
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